Report of the Kew Committee. 



161 



photometer, on Abney's principle, 13 feet long, has also been fitted 

 for use in the testing operations. 



A detailed account of the apparatus and methods employed is in 

 course of preparation by Major Darwin for publication. Meanwhile 

 circulars, respecting the proposed scheme of examination and pre- 

 liminary certificates, have been printed, and 200 distributed amongst 

 the leading opticians, manufacturers, and secretaries of all the best 

 known photographic societies, both at home and abroad, to call their 

 attention to the intended plan of examination. 



A fire- and burglar-proof safe has been purchased and fitted up for 

 the reception and safe custody of the lenses. 



Prepared photographic paper has been procured, and supplied to 

 the Observatories at Aberdeen, Lisbon, Mauritius, Oxford, St. Peters- 

 burg, Stonyhurst, as well as to the Meteorological Office for Batavia, 

 Fort William, and Valencia. 



Other photographic material supplied to Observatories includes 

 developing dishes for Colaba and Oxford, as well as a camera and 

 requisite fittings for cloud and lightning photography for Mauritius. 



Anemograph sheets have been sent to Coimbra, Hong Kong, and 

 Mauritius, and blank forms for entry of magnetic observations to 

 Padre Denza and Professor RQcker. 



Library. — During the year the library has received as presents the 

 publications of — 



44 Scientific Societies and Institutions of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, and 



114 Foreign and Colonial Scientific Establishments, as well as of 

 numerous private individuals. 



House, Enclosure, fyc. — A new stove has been obtained, and fitted 

 up in the clinical testing office to replace the one previously fitted, 

 now worn out. 



Stone blocks have been laid down on the surface of the lawn, to 

 ensure the erection of the tripods for supporting magnetometers used 

 for occasional observation, approximately in the proper meridian. 



The roofs of the Magnetic Observatory, and of the Experimental 

 House have been newly covered with felt, and freshly tarred. 



With the view of the protection of the building against fire, and 

 also for sanitary purposes, the Committee have made application to 

 H.M. Office of Works and Public Buildings to have the Observatory 

 connected with the water mains of the Corporation of "Richmond, but, 

 owing to the expense of laying down the necessary pipe, the Office 

 has as yet been unwilling to accede to the Committee's request ; nor 

 have H.M. Commissioners provided a gas engine for pumping from 

 the wells, capable of furnishing a sufficient quantity of water from the 

 local springs, which they have suggested as an equivalent. 



